60-watt bulbs soar in price as ban nears

LIGHT bulbs are soaring in price just days before production of conventional 60-watt bulbs ceases under an EU ban to boost the environment.

Prices of both the 60-watt bulbs and their eco-friendly alternatives have risen by up to 65 per cent []

Prices of both the 60-watt bulbs and their eco-friendly alternatives have risen by up to 65 per cent and more hikes are expected to follow.

The Tory Energy spokesman in the European Parliament, Giles Chichester, accused makers of “exploiting a market opportunity”.

The EU has already banned the sale of 100-watt bulbs to make everyone use low energy compact fluorescent lamps instead. These are designed to help the EU cut greenhouse gas emissions. But from the end of this month all production of 60-watt bulbs has to stop.

Critics argue that while low energy bulbs last longer and use less electricity, they are less bright.

Critics argue that while low energy bulbs last longer and use less electricity, they are less bright. And there is evidence that the 60-watt bulbs are rising in price just like 100-watt bulbs in 2009 before they were banned and shoppers rushed to stock up.

At the same time the price of low-energy bulbs is also increasing. One retailer has clocked up a 65 per cent increase in two years – from £1.21 to £2. Manufacturers say it reflects rising costs of raw materials